now on one side, then on the other, of his loophole, as
he fired his rifle through it.

Our position had become very critical; the wind might at any moment
bring the flames of the out-buildings against the house itself, in which
case our fate would be sealed, for it would be almost impossible for us
to extinguish them.

At length, to our relief, the enemy again drew off. From their previous
daring conduct, we could not hope, however, that they intended to raise
the siege; perhaps they only waited to see whether the flames from the
out-buildings would set the house on fire, and thus save them all
further trouble and danger. But the wind, fortunately, continued to blow
up the valley, keeping the flames away from the house.

Uncle Jeff now directed me to go round and give some food to each man.
When I came to him, "Ralph," said he, "go and look into the
ammunition-chest. I have my fears that we are running short of
cartridges!"

I did as directed, and what was my dismay to find that no more than
three rounds remained for each one of us! One of the poor fellows who
had been last hit had been employed in supplying us with cartridges, and
he had omitted to tell Uncle Jeff how short we had run.

"I wish I had let you go, Ralph," he said; "but it cannot be helped now.
We must cut our way out; it is possible that all of us who are alive may
succeed. If the enemy come on again, we must begin blazing away at them
as before; then, when our last shot is expended, we must burst open the
door and dart out. Call Bartle and Gideon, and I will tell them what I
propose doing. You and they are active, and know the country, and if you
can reach the mountains you may get off free; although it will go hard,
I fear, with the two troopers."

His two old followers, on hearing that the ammunition was almost
expended, agreed that it was the only course to pursue with any chance
of saving our lives.

Fortunately there were several swords, and we each of us provided
ourselves with one, and besides this we had a pistol apiece.

"Now, then," said Uncle Jeff, "I propose doing what will look like
deserting you, but in reality it is the best plan for saving your lives.
I am thinking of dressing up a figure, and placing it on Jack's back, so
as to partly cover me when I am mounted; and I will conceal myself by
hanging over along his neck. I will then dash out ahead of you, when the
enemy are certain to direct their fire at me, though I hope that